MLive analysis: Motorcycle helmet or not? See the difference in rider crash injuries in Michigan so far

MLive file photoEighty percent of motorcyclists in crashes since Michigan's helmet ban was lifted continued to protect their head, records show. Those who did not were seriously injured at a higher rate.

Helmetless motorcyclists continue to suffer more serious injuries and are killed at greater rates than those with helmets, a new MLive Media Group crash analysis shows.

The findings stem from state police records on more than 700 motorcyclists and passengers in crashes in the two months since Gov. Rick Snyder repealed Michigan’s helmet law.

The accident records show most motorcyclists continued to wear helmets, but a greater percentage removed them as weather began to warm in the second month after the repeal.

All totaled, 719 motorcyclists and their passengers were in accidents from April 12 through Sunday, including 14 fatalities. Those totals reflect reports already submitted by state police and local agencies, with more expected to be filed.

Police are supposed to indicate whether a helmet was used, but don’t always do so. Still, of the 654 cases where usage was recorded, 80 percent of riders covered their heads.

The 20 percent without helmets tended to be more seriously injured, the records show.
The findings are similar to an MLive analysis of motorcycle-involved crashes done at the conclusion of the first month after the 35-year-old helmet law was repealed.

• Twenty-five percent of the 129 helmetless riders in accidents suffered “incapacitating” injuries. That compares to 16 percent for the 525 who wore helmets.

• Of those who were killed, six were without helmets – or 4.7 percent of all helmetless riders in accidents. By contrast, eight helmeted riders were killed, 1.5 percent of all those in accidents.

• As weather warmed, more helmets came off. The first month after the repeal, 17 percent of motorcyclists in crashes were without helmets. That rose to nearly 22 percent in the second month.

• One in five weekday crashes occurred between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., rush hours. More than one in three happened on weekends.

Police records do not indicate the nature of a motorcyclist’s injuries, only the severity. But AAA Michigan spokeswoman Nancy Cain said the findings support what appears self-evident – a helmet can in some cases protect riders, or lessen injuries.

CRASHES IN STATE’S 10 LARGEST COUNTIES

Here’s a look at the number of motorcyclists in crashes from April 12 through June 17 in the 10 largest counties. The numbers represent helmeted, unhelmeted, and the percent of unhelmeted riders.

“We’re not surprised at all,” Cain said. “We’re saddened by it, because study after study after study shows that wearing your helmet is the best protection, no matter what the law.”

AAA has cited figures from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning forecasting 30 additional motorcycle fatalities and 127 additional incapacitating injuries each year following the repeal.

“Above and beyond the freedom of choice, it is a traffic safety issue,” Cain said.

Jim Rhodes, legislative director for a group that sought the repeal, said it's too soon to draw conclusions. Six months of data - essentially the entire riding season - might be a better span, said Rhodes, of ABATE of Michigan (American Bikers Aiming Toward Education).

"We are analyzing this. We're checking with the state police and getting reports," Rhodes said, adding the organization is developing a statement addressing a number of issues related to the new law.

"We're getting beat up pretty heavily by some on the state and national level," he said.

Though more crash reports are expected to come in for the two-month period in weeks to come, reported fatalities so far are lower than in recent years. There were 30 during the same two-month stretch last year; 29 in 2010.

Statewide, the crash records show wide variation in the percentage of helmetless riders.

Of the 10 largest counties, Saginaw County led all others. Thirty percent of motorcyclists in accidents were without helmets.

In contrast, just 13 percent of motorcycle crashes in Oakland County involved helmetless riders.

-- For alerts on future stories on this topic, follow statewide projects coordinator John Barnes on Twitter. Email him at jbarnes1@mlive.com.